A rookie player, who boldly chose the jersey number of manager Lee Seung-yup during his playing days upon joining Doosan, made a big impact just two years after his debut.

Im Jong-sung (20), an infielder for the Doosan Bears, started as the No. 9 third baseman in the home game against the SSG Landers in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Jamsil Stadium, Seoul, on the 22nd, showcasing a stunning performance with 3 hits in 4 at-bats, including 1 home run, 4 RBIs, and 1 run.

Im Jong-sung's hitting ability was exceptional from the beginning. In his first at-bat in the bottom of the third inning, he hit a single off SSG ace Kim Kwang-hyun's first pitch, and in the bottom of the seventh inning with one out and runners on first and second bases, he produced a hit against the opposing team, achieving a multi-hit game for the first time in about ten days since the match against the Hanwha Eagles on the 13th.

The highlight came in his final at-bat. In the bottom of the eighth inning, trailing 2-4 with two outs and bases loaded, Im Jong-sung faced SSG relief pitcher Kim Min, took command of a favorable count at 2 balls and 1 strike, and connected with a high sinker (149 km) on the fourth pitch for a 110-meter home run. In a moment when scoring was more crucial than ever, he hit a miraculous grand slam, rescuing Doosan from a five-game losing streak.

Im Jong-sung celebrated the joy of decorating his debut home run as a game-winning grand slam. This was the 20th in KBO history and the 4th in Bears history, a record only allowed to three players: Song Won-guk (June 23, 2001, against the SK Wyverns), Choi Ju-hwan (June 14, 2012, against the Lotte Giants), and Oh Myung-jin (April 27, 2025, against Lotte). Doosan has produced two players this year who decorated their debut home run with a grand slam.

Im Jong-sung, a promising infielder who graduated from Kyungbuk High School, which is the alma mater of manager Lee Seung-yup, was selected in the third round as the 22nd pick by Doosan in the 2024 rookie draft. He boldly took the jersey number '36,' which was used by manager Lee Seung-yup during his playing career, and in his debut year, he participated in the Futures League All-Star Game, achieving a multi-hit performance including a home run and winning a merit award. (In the 2025 season, jersey number 36 is worn by Choo Jae-hyun)

A Doosan official he met at the Futures All-Star Game noted, "Im Jong-sung is a prospect that the club thinks will become a starting infielder in two years. He has been standing out in the Futures League, and the club has been watching his play closely," while manager Lee Seung-yup also expressed special interest, saying, "Reports keep coming in that he has the potential to be Doosan's starting third baseman in the long run. I hear he works very hard in training in the second team. I believe there will be a day when we see him in the first team."

Now in his second year as a professional, Im Jong-sung finally received a call from manager Lee Seung-yup on the 2nd and has been surviving in the first team for over three weeks. Im Jong-sung's greatest strength is his ability to resolve critical moments. His season batting average stands at .257, but his batting average with runners in scoring position is .364. Following a dramatic game-winning double in the 11th inning against Hanwha on the 13th, he hit a game-winning grand slam the next day, hinting at the birth of a second Heo Kyung-min.

After the game, Im Jong-sung unusually left a letter for fans on the club's official Social Media account. He said, "Today, my debut home run became a game-winning home run. I am very pleased, just as I have played baseball for today," adding, "I will create more game-winning hits to help the team go up. Thank you always for your support. Sincerely, Im Jong-sung."

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